Ikkis Review: Agastya Nanda, Dharmendra Shine in Sriram Raghavan's Emotional War Saga

• Sriram Raghavan's 'Ikkis' is a war film inspired by Param Vir Chakra recipient Second Lieutenant Arun Khetarpal, focusing on human emotions and the lasting wounds of war, not just battles.
• The narrative unfolds in two timelines: 1971 (Arun Khetarpal's duty) and 2001 (Arun's father meeting a former Pakistani soldier), adding emotional depth beyond a typical war drama.
• Agastya Nanda delivers an honest and sincere performance as Arun Khetarpal, while Dharmendra's portrayal of a father's pain and pride is extremely moving, making it his last war film.
• Sriram Raghavan's direction is a major strength, emphasizing impact over noise, with restrained music, effective VFX, and strong supporting performances from Jaideep Ahlawat and Simar Bhatia.
• The film avoids forced patriotism, allowing the story to progress slowly and reflect on responsibility, fear, and decisions, earning 3.5 out of 5 stars for its human perspective on war.

Why It Matters: 'Ikkis' is a powerful, emotional war film by Sriram Raghavan, offering a human perspective on conflict and its lasting impact.